Downhill National Series Round One Results
Ronan Dunne (Image: AtomCreates)
The first round of the 2023 Downhill National Series (Irish Downhill Mountainbike Series) took place at Carrick Mountain in Co. Dublin over the weekend of May 27th and 28th.
Hosted by Gravity Bike Club, both riders and spectators were treated to a cracking weekend with perfect weather conditions for racing.
And the sun shone brightly on some of the sport’s biggest domestic stars as Leah Maunsell and Ronan Dunne took the plaudits in the opening round of the series.
National champion Dunne set a blistering time to take victory in the elite men’s category, with Niall Clerkin’s superb performance earning him a worthy second place.
Maunsell underlined her return from a shoulder injury earlier this year with an impressive race run sealing victory in the senior women’s race.
Callum Morris caught the eye in the junior men’s category, with his blistering winning time so impressive it would have placed him in fifth in the elite standings.
Rory O’Kelly took first place in the senior men’s category while the sports men’s category saw Dylan Robinson take a clear victory.
In the Boy’s U16 category, Alex Hickey earned a narrow win as an unfortunate crash ruled out Darragh Ryan towards the end of the race. Ben Fitzsimon also missed out on competing for the win following a puncture.
In the Boy’s U14 category, Jamie Duffy picked up a narrow win as Lilian Tobin set the best time in the youth girls category.
In the masters categories, Jamie MacFerran won the M30 category, Colin Ross picked up the M40 win while the M50 category winner was Brian Steele.
In Round Two, riders will travel to Shronaboy Farm, near Killarney in Co. Kerry, as Tralee Bay MTB and Killarney Cycling Club co-host on August 5th and 6th.
Full results are available here.